NFL Wildcard Weekend

[swerb]

I've been looking at all four of these games, all week, since Sunday night.

I am just back and forth on all of them.

Only game I know I am playing for sure is San Diego. This Indy team has been playing well the last couple months, but is not the same caliber of Indy teams of past. No running game, patch work banged up OL. Chargers are rollin. Lost some close games early to tough teams. Defense has been much better since changing Def coordinators a month ago. Both lines, Tomlinson ... playing at high level right now. Rivers has emerged, IMO, into one of the best QBs in football. SD at home, with Indy's #.

Bal/Mia ... was leaning Bal early in the week, but I am very leery of laying more than a FG (3.5) on the road with a rookie QB to a team that makes no mistakes, is incredibly well coached, and plays with a chip. Leaning Mia right now. This just reeks of being a 13-10 game.

Phil/Min .... is there one person on this planet that likes the Vikings in this game? That alone has me considering the Vikings. Could see Peterson breaking one early, Vikings run D bottling up Westbrook and making Philly's offense one dimensional. Vikings have the best home crowd in football too. Or one of the best. Totally up in the air still on this one.

Atl/Ariz ... again, leery to take a rookie QB on the road against Kurt Warner at home. Zona has the better D also. Also, feel the Wisenhunt era/turnaround all kind of culminates Sat afternoon in this home playoff game. Zona has been crappy, played sloppy since they wrapped up a weak NFC West. I am expecting the Cards to play well Sat. May not be enough. They can't run the ball. And Atlanta runs the ball very well. Still leaning Zona in this one.

Public money coming in heavy on all four road teams this week. Right now I'm leaning towards all four home teams, but am still legitimately undecided on three of the contests.

[Guest]

All home teams are underdogs, I have a feeling that this is the first time that has ever happened.
Early picks for me that I'm sticking with:
SD
Ari
Philly
Balt

[pup]

Run away from the Chargers...fast. Anyone considering taking a Norv Turner coached team who is 31st against the pass, versus Peyton Manning needs to step away from the books.

For emphasis: 31st against the pass. Norv Turner is the HC. Peyton Manning.

[Guest]

I don't play the games and would never wager against Manning.
I think that will be the game of the weekend.

[swerb]

Run away from the Chargers...fast. Anyone considering taking a Norv Turner coached team who is 31st against the pass, versus Peyton Manning needs to step away from the books.

For emphasis: 31st against the pass. Norv Turner is the HC. Peyton Manning.

Bottom line, every time in the playoffs that teams have been able to get to Manning with their pass rush, the Colts have lost. San Diego is able to pressure him, they win. I think they will be able to. Defense has been much better down the stretch, creating pressure and forcing turnovers.

[Action Boy]

All your points are well taken, but Norv Turner is a clown and I am being nice. Horrible coach and horrible game management strategy. He is kind of like Tony Romo, what big game has he ever won? The Colts running game has disappeared, but Peyton still lines up over center and he is the difference against a porous Chargers secondary. This game is like the old Cowboys and 49er hey days, when you took them every week no matter what, because you knew what you were getting week in and week out. The same with Peyton, he won't lose to Norv Turner. Just me early thoughts of the game.

Turner is the Dave Wannstedt of college football. How does that guy have a job this morning? Good lord, he sets offensive football back 50 years.

Run away from the Chargers...fast. Anyone considering taking a Norv Turner coached team who is 31st against the pass, versus Peyton Manning needs to step away from the books.

For emphasis: 31st against the pass. Norv Turner is the HC. Peyton Manning.

Bottom line, every time in the playoffs that teams have been able to get to Manning with their pass rush, the Colts have lost. San Diego is able to pressure him, they win. I think they will be able to. Defense has been much better down the stretch, creating pressure and forcing turnovers.

[swerb]

All your points are well taken, but Norv Turner is a clown and I am being nice. Horrible coach and horrible game management strategy. He is kind of like Tony Romo, what big game has he ever won? The Colts running game has disappeared, but Peyton still lines up over center and he is the difference against a porous Chargers secondary. This game is like the old Cowboys and 49er hey days, when you took them every week no matter what, because you knew what you were getting week in and week out. The same with Peyton, he won't lose to Norv Turner. Just me early thoughts of the game.

Agree that Norv is a chump. But he beat Indy, in Indy, last year in the playoffs. Without Tomlinson. And without Rivers in the second half. Six weeks ago, Colts won 23-20 in SD, but on a 51 yd FG by Vinatieri at the buzzer. Indy's OL was healthier, and SD still wasn't putting any pressure on the passer, which they have done since they whacked Cottrel as DC a month ago.

So to me, to say Norv can't beat Indy ... tough to say that.

Chargers match up well with Indy. This is why they've won 4 of the last 5 against em, and could have easily made it 5 straight in week 11. Hard to say Manning struggles agasinst anyone, but he has clearly been a lesser QB against 3-4's in his career.

Norv is a chump though. Regardless, this should be a great game. Glad it got the Sat night slot.

[Action Boy]

Yes, San Diego has had there number of late and they have a very good chance of winning Saturday night, but I just can't see it...Norv will blow this game. Any chance he and Wanstedt are related?

All your points are well taken, but Norv Turner is a clown and I am being nice. Horrible coach and horrible game management strategy. He is kind of like Tony Romo, what big game has he ever won? The Colts running game has disappeared, but Peyton still lines up over center and he is the difference against a porous Chargers secondary. This game is like the old Cowboys and 49er hey days, when you took them every week no matter what, because you knew what you were getting week in and week out. The same with Peyton, he won't lose to Norv Turner. Just me early thoughts of the game.

Agree that Norv is a chump. But he beat Indy, in Indy, last year in the playoffs. Without Tomlinson. And without Rivers in the second half. Six weeks ago, Colts won 23-20 in SD, but on a 51 yd FG by Vinatieri at the buzzer. Indy's OL was healthier, and SD still wasn't putting any pressure on the passer, which they have done since they whacked Cottrel as DC a month ago.

So to me, to say Norv can't beat Indy ... tough to say that.

Chargers match up well with Indy. This is why they've won 4 of the last 5 against em, and could have easily made it 5 straight in week 11. Hard to say Manning struggles agasinst anyone, but he has clearly been a lesser QB against 3-4's in his career.

Norv is a chump though. Regardless, this should be a great game. Glad it got the Sat night slot.

[leadpipe]

Norv Turner is horrible enough to be the single reason not to wager the game.

Swerb, The Lead Man agrees with many of your points, and the game on sheer data leans towards the SuperChargers ILO, however, you have a huge chance to feeling like a douche at games end because you backed Norv Turner with your hard earned cash.

[swerb]

Norv Turner is horrible enough to be the single reason not to wager the game.

Swerb, The Lead Man agrees with many of your points, and the game on sheer data leans towards the SuperChargers ILO, however, you have a huge chance to feeling like a douche at games end because you backed Norv Turner with your hard earned cash.

Without a doubt.

Thats why they call it gambling. In Norv I Trust.

In Norv I Trust?

[swerb]

Going Zona tomorrow too.

Just feel they will play well. Like the spot for them. Think the D will make a big play or two at home tomorrow against Ryan, and that will be the difference.

Zona and SD for me tomorrow.

Leaning Bal and Phil for Sunday.

[Ziner]

Personally to me it is

Indy - no brainer, Peyton shows up and they win by 14
Atl - while Ryan doesnt play well Turner runs ALL over the Cards
Minnesota - Philly is flawed and if everyone goes one way to go the other
Miami - no reason, but they will get it done.

[4thQtrGlory]

Personally to me it is

Indy - no brainer, Peyton shows up and they win by 14
Atl - while Ryan doesnt play well Turner runs ALL over the Cards
Minnesota - Philly is flawed and if everyone goes one way to go the other
Miami - no reason, but they will get it done.

INdy, Atl, Philly, Balt. PERIOD

[Ziner]

Personally to me it is

Indy - no brainer, Peyton shows up and they win by 14
Atl - while Ryan doesnt play well Turner runs ALL over the Cards
Minnesota - Philly is flawed and if everyone goes one way to go the other
Miami - no reason, but they will get it done.

INdy, Atl, Philly, Balt. PERIOD

0% chance all 4 road teams win

[4thQtrGlory]

Personally to me it is

Indy - no brainer, Peyton shows up and they win by 14
Atl - while Ryan doesnt play well Turner runs ALL over the Cards
Minnesota - Philly is flawed and if everyone goes one way to go the other
Miami - no reason, but they will get it done.

INdy, Atl, Philly, Balt. PERIOD

0% chance all 4 road teams win

yeah but....the christmas ale factor

[Ziner]

Personally to me it is

Indy - no brainer, Peyton shows up and they win by 14
Atl - while Ryan doesnt play well Turner runs ALL over the Cards
Minnesota - Philly is flawed and if everyone goes one way to go the other
Miami - no reason, but they will get it done.

INdy, Atl, Philly, Balt. PERIOD

0% chance all 4 road teams win

yeah but....the christmas ale factor

touche'

its magic isn't it? i have 7 more

[4thQtrGlory]

Personally to me it is

Indy - no brainer, Peyton shows up and they win by 14
Atl - while Ryan doesnt play well Turner runs ALL over the Cards
Minnesota - Philly is flawed and if everyone goes one way to go the other
Miami - no reason, but they will get it done.

INdy, Atl, Philly, Balt. PERIOD

0% chance all 4 road teams win

yeah but....the christmas ale factor

touche'

its magic isn't it? i have 7 more

4 here. I paced myself this whole season....until tonight.

[Nicastro13]

I'll go on record, I'm taking all 4 home dogs, these lines are ridiculous.

[swerb]

Just locked in ....

Arizona -1
San Diego +1 (-105)

[Erie Warrior]

Colts: even money

Atl/ Ari: Over 51 & over 3.5 total sacks

[Erie Warrior]

Just locked in ....

Arizona -1
San Diego +1 (-105)

LT with a torn groin. I don't think he'll play.

Edit: Maybe not, still game time decision

[swerb]

Keeping the home team train rollin tomorrow.

Miami +3.5
Minnesota +3

[Erie Warrior]

Philly -3.5

Over 41

Westbrook Over 108.5 rushing and receiving

It's pretty safe for someone to choose the opposite of me, and come away with some cash.

[swerb]

Pennington with 7 INTs in 16 games this season. Four today.

This GD Ravens defense and team has been making me miserable for 10 years now.

[4thQtrGlory]

This GD Ravens defense and team has been making me miserable for 10 years now.

They were who we thought they were

[leadpipe]

Pennington with 7 INTs in 16 games this season. Four today.

This GD Ravens defense and team has been making me miserable for 10 years now.

That division is a fraud.

The three teams that were bidding last week just aren't that good.

[Ziner]

Personally to me it is

Indy - no brainer, Peyton shows up and they win by 14
Atl - while Ryan doesnt play well Turner runs ALL over the Cards
Minnesota - Philly is flawed and if everyone goes one way to go the other
Miami - no reason, but they will get it done.

Damn glad I didnt throw down any cash on this one...